Japan Vs Korea – The “Interaction Cup” Full Preview

Japan bested Korea in Seoul back in September. Revenge is the name of the game when three Korea-trained horses line up at Ohi on Tuesday night in the “Japan Korea Interaction Cup”.

Fumio Matoba and Tosen Archer in the SBS Korea Vs Japan Cup Winner’s Circle at Seoul in September

While Tosen Archer, winner of that race in Seoul, tries to repeat his victory, Korea is this time represented by unbeaten filly Fly Top Queen, the nation’s most expensive import.

Watts Village, who was turned over in the final strides at Seoul, also takes his chance again while the visiting challenge is completed by top sprinter Full Moon Party.

They will face a home team that is dominated by speed. Indeed it seems that whoever gets to the first corner in front, will have an excellent chance of holding on. The Korea contingent need to make sure that it is them.

Here’s a full run down of the field with Name [Pedigree] Sex Age Home Track (Starts/1/2/3) – Jockey

1. Miyasan Cutie (JPN) [Kurofune – Innocent Nymph (Hector Protector)] M 5 Ohi (18/9/2/0) – Daisuke Mashima
Good figures but has only run 4 times this year and not since August. Is likely to be close to favourite but will need to run to her best to win.

2. Full Moon Party (KOR) [Vicar – Platinum Wildcat (Forest Wildcat)] F 4 Seoul (17/7/0/3) – Jo In Kwen
The only Korean-bred entry among the Korea raiders, she’s also the least fancied although she beat a host of big names in the TJK Trophy in August. Needs to get to the first corner first; if she does, anything can happen – if she doesn’t she’ll be well-beaten.

3. Saint March (JPN) [Durandal – Art Roman (Russian Roubles)] H 5 Ohi (23/7/9/3) – Norifumi Mikamoto
3 wins from 5 starts this year and looks like he will like the drop back to 6 furlongs. In form and a real chance.

4. Fly Top Queen (USA) [Henny Hughes – Cape Discovery (Cape Town)] F 3 Seoul (4/4/0/0) – Park Tae Jong
She’s Korea’s most expensive ever import and she’s never been beaten but so far she’s yet to face very much at all. Has travelled well and is said to be relishing the chance to run clockwise at Ohi. Most observers (including this one) are convinced she would have won the 1st leg in Seoul had she run. If she leads into the home straight, she wins.

5. Breeze Flavor (JPN) [Forty Niner – Memorable Green (Night Shift)] H 6 Urawa (27/10/3/0) – Kenichi Shigeta
While almost all of his wins have come oveer this distance, he’s been in dreadful form this year. No reason to think that will change here.

6. Watts Village (USA) [Forestry – Edey’s Village (Silver Deputy)] C 3 Seoul (12/6/2/1) – Seo Seung Un
Second to Tosen Archer in Seoul, he has every chance of beating him here – the only trouble is that Tosen Archer probably won’t be winning either. Like so many in this race, if he gets a good run early, he has a chance. If he doesn’t, he will fade.

7. Gaudy (JPN) [Precious Cafe – x (Sumano Daido)] H 5 Ohi (27/6/7/5) – Ryo Akamine
His dam’s name might not appear in the Studbook but he certainly has some speed. Again, he needs to be at the front early to show.

8. Adolescence (JPN) [Falbrav – Spring a Mine (Taysu Tsuyoshi)] H 6 Ohi (62/3/4/10) – Narazaki Kousuke
His jockey rode successfully at Busan for a year. He’s not got much chance of being successful here as Adolescence falls very much into the category of “old stager”. He’ll not be embarrassed but he’ll not be competing for the win either.

9. Final Score (JPN) [Fusaichi Pegasus – Final Destination (O’Reilly)] H 8 Ohi (41/6/7/4) – Takayuki Yano
He ran in the 1st leg at Seoul and finished 6th. It would be a surprise if he finished any higher here.

10. Kogyo Douglas (JPN) [Sterling Rose – Amore Pegasus (Mejiro Ryan)] H 6 Ohi (23/10/5/1) – Takihiro Kashiwagi
A horse who is always there or thereabouts and could be again. Without a win in almost 2 years but he always goes close. Tough to recommend him to win but he’ll not be going home without some money.

11. Tosen Archer (JPN) [Barathea – Interruption (Zafonic)] (48/5/2/5) H 9 Ohi – Fumio Matoba
He won the 1st leg in Seoul due to an inspired ride by 57-year-old jockey Fumio Matoba. It won’t happen here. Ohi’s track doesn’t lend itself to closers in the way that Seoul’s does and the rest of the field will be wise to him. Must be given respect though.

12. Auxerrois (USA) [Awesome Again – Sixtyone Margaux (Cozzene)] G 7 Funabashi (31/5/4/3) – Taito Mori
A physically very impressive specimen, Auxerrois is without a win or a place since January 2012 and his recent form suggest he will not be in contention.

13. Murakan Panther (JPN) [Admire Max – Spring Diana (Merry Nice)] F 4 Kawasaki (20/5/9/1) – Hironori Sato
Won three races in a row at Ohi this summer and must be in with a chance. Was only 6th last time out but with a drop to 6 furlomgs, he could bounce back.

14. Yasaka Fine (JPN) [Black Tuxedo – Nobo Mama (Nihon Pillow Winner)] H 7 Ohi (38/8/8/3) – Jun Aritoshi
Difficult to recommend a horse that hasn’t won since 2010 so we’ll not be doing that here. Yasaka Fine has put in some creditable performances recently but will not be coming close in this one.